☝️ Key Points
- The 'Vilja Lied' tells the story of a hunter who falls in love with the forest girl Vilja.
- The hunter sees Vilja and is immediately attracted to her, he can't stop looking at her.
- The hunter begs Vilja to be his lover, experiencing strong feelings and longing.
- Vilja takes the hunter to her rocky house and kisses him passionately, showing the intensity and overwhelming nature of their love.
- The story ends with the transient nature of their relationship, after they have kissed to their heart's content and Vilja disappears.
Interpretation
The 'Vilja Song' is a song from the operetta 'The Merry Widow' by
Franz Lehár. The lyrics tell the story of Vilja, a forest girl, and a hunter who falls in love with her.
In the first part of the song, the hunter sees Vilja and is immediately drawn to her. He can't stop looking at her. 'A hunter beholds' her in the rocky cliff. To the lad, something so strange happened, He looked and keeps looking at the forest maiden.' This shows the deep attraction the hunter feels for Vilja.
The hunter feels an unprecedented shudder and begins to sigh with longing. He begs Vilja to be his beloved: 'Vilja, oh Vilja, you forest maiden, Take me and let me be your heart's dearest! Vilja, oh Vilja, what are you doing to me?'
Vilja takes the hunter into her rocky house, where she passionately kisses him. 'The forest maiden reached out her hand And drew him into her rocky house. The lad's senses almost went away: No earthly child loves and kisses like this!' This shows the intense and overwhelming love that exists between Vilja and the hunter.
After they have kissed to their heart's content, Vilja disappears. The hunter bids her a final farewell. This suggests the fleeting and transient nature of their relationship.
In summary, the 'Vilja Song' tells a story of intense love and longing that is ephemeral. It highlights the power of love and the deep feelings it can evoke.